The thirteen days marking the most dangerous period of the Cuban missile crisis begin. President Kennedy and principal foreign policy and national defense officials are briefed on the U-2 findings. The cabinet decides what to do about the Soviet Union's decision to bring missiles so close to the United States. It narrows down the decision to two options: an air strike and invasion or a naval quarantine.

Professor Groeteschele tries to persuade the military to pursue a full strike against Russia. Brigade General Warren Black questions the morality of the professor's stance. This clip highlights the extremities in Cold War thinking.

In a meeting with ranking military and government staff, an American professor argues in favor of a first strike policy: one in which the United States attacks the Soviet Union first. He is countered by a general who questions the morality of such a stance and such action. This clip highlights the extremities in Cold War thinking.

Some reconciliation takes place between the Soviet Union and the United States as they agree, along with the United Kingdom, to ban nuclear weapon testing in the atmosphere, under water, and in space.

President John Kennedy deals with communist expansion in Vietnam and promises aid to the South Vietnamese but doesn't plan on large scale involvement of US forces.